Pac-12 Picks: Week 3

Here are our picks for this week against the spread, using lines from here. Games against an FCS team are not included.

FRIDAY

Washington State (-8) at UNLV

Jack: Washington State. I like WSU, even though they've struggled so far. Vegas isn't typically known as a place you go to bust a slump, but I'm all in on the Cougs.

Jacob: Washington State. The Cougars haven't inspired any confidence whatsoever, but I just can't possibly pick UNLV, a team that lost at home to Northern Arizona.

Scott: Washington State. Washington State has scored 30 points through two games, which isn't exactly what Cougars fans expected from Mike Leach's Air Raid offense. Each of Wazzu's first three games has been on a different day of the week. Another poor performance tonight and Leach may ask the Pac-12 to reschedule one of the Cougars' future games for a Wednesday.

SATURDAY

Cal at Ohio State (-16.5)

Jack: Ohio State. I'll take Ohio State to cover. They've looked pretty sharp against some inferior opponents, but I think Cal is ill-equipped to go to Columbus and play well.

Jacob: Ohio State. Have you seen Cal this year? These aren't the Buckeye teams of old, but Urban Meyer has brought some swagger back to Columbus, and they'll have a whole lot of it as they crush the Golden Bears.

Scott: Ohio State. This is kinda like Cal's Rose Bowl. In Columbus. Against a team with a postseason ban.

Arizona State at Missouri (-6)

Jack: Missouri. Even though James Franklin might be out, I'll still take Missouri. Now's the part where I chant SEC, SEC, SEC, right?

Jacob: Missouri. ASU has been impressive so far, but playing at Missouri is a huge step up in competition from home games against Northern Arizona and Illinois. I don't think the Sun Devils will respond well to the challenge.

Scott: Missouri. It may not be quite the respite the Tigers expected from an otherwise brutal SEC schedule, but I think Mizzou will exact revenge after last year's loss in Tempe, which introduced the world to Brock Osweiler's incredible tattoos.

USC (-9) at Stanford

Jack: USC. It pains me to do it, but I'll take USC to cover. I don't think Nunes is quite ready to outduel Barkley yet.

Jacob: USC. I am terrible at picks. So maybe if I pick USC... Actually, though, I think Stanford could be in trouble this weekend, and I think USC has the dangerous combination of being extremely talented and extremely focused on this game.

Scott: Stanford. The realist in me thinks Stanford will cover the spread. The homer in me thinks the Cardinal will win straight up. Screw it.

Colorado at Fresno State (-15.5)

Jack: Colorado. I'll go with Colorado to cover. I think just because I feel bad for them.

Jacob: Colorado. Fresno State is not that good. Colorado can't be that bad, right? Right?

Scott: Fresno State. That's a lot of points, but the Buffs are a lot of bad.

BYU (-3.5) at Utah

Jack: BYU. BYU over Utah. Bronco Mendenhall's team capitalizes on the shell-shocked Utes.

Jacob: BYU. The Cougars have shown an explosive offense. The Utes have shown anything but. And only one team still has its starting quarterback.

Scott: BYU. Utah's best chance of covering might be holding BYU to a field goal.

Houston at UCLA (-17)

Jack: UCLA. UCLA to cover. Sorry, Houston. This just isn't your year.

Jacob: UCLA. Houston has given up 86 points in two games against Texas State and Louisiana Tech. UCLA has scored 85 points in two games. The Bruin defense probably only needs to hold the Cougars to 30 points to cover the spread.

Scott: UCLA. Houston introduced a new logo this season. Unfortunately the Cougars also introduced a new QB. UH has given up 493 yards rushing through two games (5.24 yards per carry). Johnathan Franklin has scheduled a party in the end zone.

Lock of the Week

Jack: Ohio State. That kind of atmosphere will be very unfamiliar for Cal, and they don't have a great history of going east and winning. Also, you know Urban Meyer will burn Columbus to the ground if he loses to Jeff Tedford.

Jacob: USC. If you saw our Locks of the Week last week, you know that we can be counted on to give you locks. As long as you pick against us. Here's hoping that's true again.

Scott: Washington State. With Jordan Wynn out, I was tempted to pick BYU, but I'll stay away from a rivalry game. I still believe in the Pirate.

USC-Stanford Score Prediction

Jack: Trojans 24, Cardinal 13. The secondary plays well enough to keep it from getting out of hand, but a pedestrian run game keeps Stanford out of the win column.

Jacob: Trojans 38, Cardinal 20. A few big plays will put USC ahead, and Stanford will have to press to cut into the lead, and that is not a good position for Josh Nunes and Co.

Scott: Cardinal 35, Trojans 31.